Dr. Adam Wheeler, Best of Columbia Gold winner for Best Pediatrician, knew the health care system was failing people and chose to do something about it. “I spent years watching good medicine get buried under insurance requirements, packed schedules and a system that seemed designed to wear everyone down,” he says. “So in 2017, I decided to just build something different.”
He started Big Tree Medical, a primary care office that operates on a membership model, removing the insurance middleman and restoring the patient-provider relationship. One monthly fee covers personal, comprehensive care for the whole family, all under one roof. Members enjoy perks like unlimited visits, same-day sick appointments and 24/7 messaging for urgent questions — all without copays or surprise bills.
It was a new concept. Dr. Wheeler knew Columbia families would have to take a chance on it — and they did. Big Tree grew quickly, opening an in-house pharmacy, launching Little Tree Pediatrics and expanding to three nearby towns — Sedalia, Jefferson City and Boonville. It’s grown more than Dr. Wheeler ever anticipated, but their mission hasn’t changed a bit: put the patient first. “I didn’t get into medicine for the recognition,” Dr. Wheeler says. “I wanted to take care of kids and do right by families. This award really means a lot because it’s coming from Columbia, the community I’ve practiced in for over 20 years.”
Dr. Wheeler is quick to say that this award belongs to his whole team. His providers go above and beyond in every sense — they all advocate fie cely for their patients and show up in ways that go far beyond a typical doctor’s office.
“If you’ve ever walked out of a doctor’s appointment feeling like you didn’t really get heard, I want you to know there’s another way,” Dr. Wheeler says. “That’s exactly why we built this. You and your family deserve a provider who actually knows you. You deserve to be able to pick up the phone and reach someone who cares. If you want to see what that looks like for your family, reach out. We’d love to meet you.”
